Council Updates

Possession of a Removed Catalytic Converter Now a Misdemeanor in Addison

Thefts of catalytic converters have been increasing nationwide, including in Addison. In 2021, the Addison Police Department received 107 reports of stolen catalytic converters and that number more than double in 2022 to 275. At its February 28 meeting, the City Council amended the Town's ordinances to make it an offense to possess catalytic converters under certain circumstances. 

Currently, there is no state law offense for simply possessing a catalytic converter that has been removed from a vehicle. Officers would have to prove the person possessing the catalytic converter stole it themselves or knew it was stolen property in order to prosecute under state law.

The approved amendment makes it an offense to possess a catalytic converter that has been removed from a vehicle, with an exception for metal recycling companies. Additionally, this ordinance does not apply if the possessor can prove the converter was removed from their vehicle or was passed from the owner of a vehicle to the person in possession. Each converter in possession would be considered a separate Class C misdemeanor offense. 

Officer Davis from the Addison Police Department will be teaching how to protect against catalytic converter thefts and car break-ins on Thursday, March 9 at 7pm at the Athletic Club. Please register at the Addison Athletic Club front desk.

You can watch Council's catalytic converter discussion here and read the presentation here.

Community Meeting Follow Up

At the February 28 City Council Meeting, Director of Development Services Ken Schmidt and Police Chief Paul Spencer led a follow up discussion related to the February 15 Housing Community Meeting (presentation available here). Mr. Schmidt presented several case studies examining the impact of mixed-use development on surrounding property values. He also shared that staff plans to initiate a Comprehensive Plan review this summer. The 12 - 18 month planning process will be guided by an advisory committee that includes residents.

You can watch the Council's Community Meeting follow up discussion here and read the presentation here.

Ownership Housing/Developer Outreach Provide Insight on Demographics, Preferences, and Constraints

In late 2022, Town staff conducted outreach to ownership housing builders and developers for feedback on Addison and its capacity to support new ownership housing investment. At the February 28 City Council meeting, Director of Development Services Ken Schmidt shared with Council the comments they received.

Based on the developers locational and housing preferences together with development constraints in Addison, staff developed some potential strategies to increase ownership housing options. These strategies, some of which can be implemented now and others that will be considered as part of the Comprehensive Plan Review, include:

-Targeted outreach to the broker community

-Policy and regulatory improvements

-Expeditated Development Review process

-Land assembly / acquisition and cost participation

You can watch Council's housing discussion here and read the report here.

Click Here To View About The Town Of Addison Weekly Update - March 3, 2023